Remember what happened to Joshua Nkomo, someone should remind Mr. Tsvangirai about that.

Stewie O' Riordan, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Fascinating that Mugabe is more interested in getting sanctions on himself and his cronies lifted than getting aid to the starving people under his power.

The sanctions should stay in place but aid should be sent in under armed guard.

Adrian, London, UK

The majority of those posting comments, are foreigners who are obsessed with hate of Mugabe and ZANU(PF). For those of us who have worked, lived in Zimbabwe and many countries in Africa, your statements remain dreams. The GNU is the best Xmas gift I have and we will make it work. Bury your hate.

Phibian, Kampala, Uganda

Sometimes I think it's just a waste of time talking about this pathetic dictator called Mugabe. He will never change and Tsvangirai was a fool to to give in to this so called agreement. Mugabe is just using the MDC as a means to get Western aid because Zim is nose diving into an economic meltdown.

Gil, Funchal, Portugal

I believe Kenya has set a wrong trend (where those in power would cheat in view that there will be power-sharing govt), this is contaminating African minds & somehow we need to STOP these actions. Mbeki could have asked for a proper run of elections with every security+observers' mission we can find

Badman, Gaborone, Botswana

Is there any country in Africa which is stable? How long will it take for Zimbabwe to become a decent country to live in? Will South Africa be in line to become the next disaster in Africa? What will be the excuse for Mugabe in the eyes of other African countries.?

Derek, Mebane, USA

You say 'let the Africans sort it out'. The problem is that the Africans themselves could not care less - so long as they can keep control in their own country, by whatever means, then what happens in Zimbabwe, Sudan, Kenya, etc., etc., etc ., is of no importance.

Dave, Newry, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Mugabe has 2 important priorities to reach. Firstly, in Feb 2009 he reaches the age of 85 and so cannot be indicted for crimes against humanity by the International Court in the Hague.
Secondly, he needs a few more months to steal the rest of the remaining white owned farms.
Only 6 months to do it

Gil, Funchal, Portugal

Mugabe, he should be arrested while he's in New York. He should be tried by the ICC, no matter if Zimbabwe isn't a member.

Stewie O' Riordan, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Mugabe demanded that they lift sanctions, the US, EU, UK and many other western countries. Sounds like his bank account is wearing thin and he needs money frozen in the foreign banks. Good! Maybe he and First Shopper Grace will know what its like to go hungry.

Stewie O' Riordan, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Isn't amazing that mugabe demands the West stops "meddling" and then immediately put both hands out for more $$ & we know where THAT will go. So if they want $$ the west gets its say. Simple really! STOP PAYMENT! Food aid only and keep looking for the stashed billions. Lets see who blinks first.

Su, Dallas, USA

Mugabe cannot be tried by the International Criminal Court because Zimbabwe is not a signatory to the ICC ie Mugabe abd Co do not recognise its legitimacy

Steve, Pretoria,

What did you expect?
He's done it before and Mugabe will do it again.
Mr Tsvangirai had better get out of the country now whilst he is still alive.
Just remember what has taken place in the past.
Mugabe will stop at nothing to retain control.
He will kill anyone who gets in his way.

Martin Briggs, Heversham, England

You can't cure an abscess without draining pus. Mugabe is the pus. We should cut aid to zero immediately except for food supplies distributed by aid organisations. If Mugabe can't feed his army they will depose him and aid postpones that event. If China wants to colonise Zimbabwe let them.

Mark, Leicester, UK

Zimbabwe will never make progress while Mugabe retains any form of power. It's about time the people started sorting this out themselves. It shouldn't be up to outside countries / institutions. If I was eating rats I'd be thinking about killing somebody.

Tony, Bristol, England

Arrest Mugabe and his entourage now, while they are in New York. It's your big chance to get rid of him. He's been indicted for crimes against humanity by the International Court in the Hague so why not just arrest him?

Sarah, Ottawa, Canada

For a country where the common people are eating roots and starving the opposition leader, Tsvangarai, looks remarkably well nourished. Has he really been at the 5 star restaurants with the Generals? Remember - Mugabe was once the hope of Zimbabwe. Be careful of what you wish for - you my get it!

John, Parafield,

How much more can this country take, let the Africans sort it out and not EU/USA troops, time Africa sorted its mess?

bill foy, Liverpool, UK

Anyone who ever thought this sharing of power would work must be living in cloud cuckoo land, like mbeki!!

Alan, Chelmsford, United Kingdom

Daahh, do you think so? Did people really believe with Mugabe still alive that there will be any change in Zimbabwe. I feel sorry for the innocent people of Zimbabwe, but no aid until Mugabe's out.

Richard, Ivybridge,

This will be the first test of the new South African Government. If they let Mugabe get away with this they will forever have a problem. Now is the time to act decisively (ie just like Mbeki did not for the past 9 years!).

David Ashton, Bathurst , Australia

Of course he will blame the rest of the world and will tout that line to his 'beloved people'. They will beleive him, if they don't, his thugs will set them right. We should provide aid, but only under our control. We take it where it's needed and give it out, not leave it up to him to distribute

Ron, Milton Keynes, UK

No surprises here then! Tsvangirai should never have trusted the despotic Mugabe.

Peter Hargreaves, Stockport, England

why can't he be arrested when he is out of the country? surely he is a criminal and is committing crimes against humanity? how can he even be allowed to address the UN? what a complete farce, the people of Zimbabwe must think the world has forgotten them...

Susan Barrett, Taunton, Somerset

I thought Mugabe said the West can go hang, and the we are not needed or wanted. These are targeted sanctions only, I was in SA in the 80's under sanctions and they do work, keep them in place long enough and his own people will eventually turn on him . You time is up Robert - GO or face the music!

Winston Smith, Edinburgh, UK

There is no way on earth Mugabe will ever willingly relinquish power. Anyone who thinks he will is a naive fool.

CA, Manchester, UK

This was all too predictable, alas. The Zimbabwean people's only way out, in my humble view, is to 'take the bull by the horns' and overwhelm their oppressors.

They have to ask themselves, 'What have we got to lose now'?

Shirley Bowen, Blackpool, UK

How many years has it been since the controversial land grab that reduced food production and led to the demise of the economy? Still they do nothing. Why not pressure South Africa? If they won't sanction Zimbabwe, sanction them.

Neil, Norwich, UK

Responsibility to protect anyone? No that was destroyed by Iraq, not all Bush/ Blairs fault though. Blame most UN member nations who were looking for an excuse to get out of supporting RTP due to its financial consequences I.E. spending money without getting anything back but their conscience.

Alastair, London,

This constant obsession in the UK with the vilification of Mugabe smacks of propoganda to me. Sour grapes even. The sun set on the empire a long time ago, so lets stop meddling in the old colonies. It just makes us look pathetic.

Alex, London, UK

Did anyone really think it would be any different?

Matthew , Dubai,

Frankly, I wouldn't give a penny to aid Zimbabwe or any other of the corrupt African countries - why should I?

John, Bexhill on Sea, UK

If Zanu-PF retain control of either home affairs or finance then Zimbabwe will get no aid from the West. That is the minimum for aid to be given.

Stephen, St. Ives, England

Gee. What a surprise.

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C. , USA

There is no way anything in Zimbabwe will improve until Mugabe and his bunch of cronies are out of power and preferably where they belong, "behind bars". Of course they want sanctions lifted; their bank accounts must be rather depleted by now.

Alan Lewis, Bangkok, Thailand

i donät mugabe can claim to have outwitted anyone if the outcome is that his "beloved" people are eating rats to survive. no-one is winning here!

matty, frankf, germany

im less surprised about this thing failing than i am about tsvangari agreeing to it in the first place.

at some point the zimbabwean people will do what the romanians did and rise up. would anybody shed a tear if mugabe ended up like ceaucescu?

will, grimsby, uk

Mr. Mugabe, you demand that the west lifts sanctions? Proof to them that you want to work with the MDC then they can do it.

If this power sharing deal collapses, it will be chaos. God help Zimbabwe.

Robert McNulty, Queens, New York, USA

Children have to eat rats while Mugabe takes a retinue of 54 to New York. When will this obscene farce end?

John , Canterbury, UK